International Law

Democratic Rules Committee Decides Florida, Michigan

It has been a long day of back-room deliberations at the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting at Washington.

At stake - the votes of 368 delegates from Florida and Michigan.

Just after 6:00 p.m., MSNBC News reported that a compromise may have been reached:

• Florida delegates will be seated a their convention, but their delegates' votes will only get one half value. Clinton will net 13 to 19 delegates, according to NBC news.
• Michigan delegates will also be seated and receive half votes of their 69-59, with a net gain for Mrs. Clinton of about 4 or 5 delegates.
• Mrs. Clinton would net about 25 additional delegates from these decisions. Barack Obama's lead remains at about 175 delegates.
• According to MSNBC, this would leave Mr. Obama about 20 superdelegate votes away from securing the nomination, if this week's remaining primary votes yield anticipated results.

The Committee reconvened at 6:15 p.m., to consider resolutions.

- Garry J. Wise, Toronto

UPDATE 1:

Florida:

A vote to restore the Florida delegation with full votes has been denied by a Committee a vote of 15-12, amid a chorus of "boos" from the audience, and chants of "Denver...Denver..."

A vote to recognize the Florida delegation with one-half votes has passed 27-0 with one person not voting. Under the compromise, Mrs. Clinton is to receive 52.5 delegates, John Edwards 6.5 delegates, and Mr. Obama to receive 33.5 delegate votes - all of which will receive one-half value. Unpledged superdelegate votes also are reduced to only one-half weight.

UPDATE 2:

Michigan:

A compromise resolution has passed 19-8 amid a raucus audience response. Under the resolution, the Michigan delegation will be fully seated, with the pledged and unpledged delegates' votes to receive one-half weight.

Under the compromise, enacted over the stated, high objection of Clinton advocate Harold Ickes who accused the committee of hijacking the process and substituting its will for those of Michigan's voters, Mrs. Clinton will receive 69 delegates and Mr. Obama will receive 59 delegates, all of which will receive only one-half weight. Unpledged superdelegates will also receive only one-half votes.

Mr. Ickes explicitly reserved Mrs. Clinton's right, on the candidate's instruction, to pursue the matter to the Credentials Committee at the Denver convention.

If Mr. Ickes is to be taken seriously, it looks like this nomination process may be going all the way to Denver.

- GJW

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Full post as published by Wise Law Blog on May 31, 2008 (boomark / email).